Category: Interviews

Meredith Gould is a writer, social media expert, friend to many and best of all, a Christian with no illusions about the difficulty of expressing faith today. Kristen McGuire conducted this interview in 2006.

KM: Tell me about your early faith experiences.

MG: Both my parents were Brooklyn Jews at a time when ethnic-religious boundaries were fairly blurred. Italian and Irish Catholic neighborhoods were in close proximity to Jewish neighborhoods. My mother tells stories about going to Catholic church when public schools were closed for Jewish holidays. She once attended ‘confession,’ although the details are somewhat murky. My father considered himself a Jewish atheist even though his grandfather was a rabbi and one of his four brothers remained an Orthodox Jew.

My parents moved to an Irish Catholic neighborhood in New Jersey when I was a toddler. I vividly remember eating fish on Fridays and having an Easter outfit during the 1950’s. In 1960, we moved again and became more observant about Jewish home-based ritual and synagogue attendance.

KM: Were you confirmed?

MG: Yes, but I didn’t have a bat mitzvah. I think my parents viewed it as a strange feature of Reform Judaism; either that or they didn’t want to schlep me to Hebrew school or hire a caterer? In any event, I was active in youth group and enthusiastic about Friday night services during my teens. Still, I didn’t feel called to confirmation. But when the rabbi pointed out how my grandparents were major supporters of the synagogue, I decided to do it for them. I still have my confirmation certificate from Temple Sinai.

KM: Did you encounter discrimination as a Jew?

MG: These days, my home town has a significant Orthodox Jewish population. It was quite different when I was growing up. There were mostly Reform and secular Jews and no shortage of overt and covert anti-Semitism. But because I was surrounded by other Jews, I didn’t really get what it meant to be Jewish until I went to an undergraduate school where there few Jews in attendance.

KM: What prompted you to explore other religions?

MG: During my early 20’s, I became interested in Eastern religions, thanks, in part, to the Beatles and the psychedelic drug subculture. I had a misery-induced spiritual awakening in my late-30’s and spent a lot of time practicing yoga, primarily for its physical benefits. I was also intensely evangelized by a charismatic Christian. For two years, I prayed, “God, I just want to know who you are. Please reveal yourself to me.”

KM: And then?

MG: Well, I had a stunning visit from Jesus that completely freaked me out. It was my first experience of holy terror. Imagine a nice Jewish girl (the director of marketing at a yoga retreat center) getting a visit from Jesus! Finally, a series of painful events in my personal life put me on my knees. I prayed, “Ok, Jesus. I’m going to believe that you are who you say you are.” It was a real strap-on-for-the-ride moment.

KM: When were you baptized?

MG: I was baptized at age 42 and waited a decade before coming into full communion with the Roman Catholic church. I had survived a college sorority, one cult, and two marriages. Being very susceptible to group think, I didn’t want to wake up later and say, “Oops!”

KM: How did your family take the news?

MG: I didn’t tell either parent about my baptism for almost a decade. My father, of blessed memory, died before I was confirmed in the Church. I eventually told my mother and said, “Hey, Edith Stein’s mother dealt with it, so deal with it!” Fortunately, my smart, educated mother has a great sense of humor, so she laughed. She also attended my confirmation and that meant a lot to me. We have great conversations about faith. Once she asked me if I really believed in “all that stuff.” What stuff? The resurrection? Yes, I believe. She quickly snapped back with, “Oh Christ!” She’s a laugh riot and regularly exclaims, “Oy vey, Maria.” She’s also supports my intellectual and creative work in extraordinary ways.

MG: Hard to choose a favorite. After I had my “who are you?” prayers answered, I prayed, “what should I be doing?”. Writing about the faith and especially the Jewish roots of Catholic faith practice is my vocation and ministry. The public speaking is an offshoot.

The home health aide work, which I stumbled into about three years ago, is another gift from God. I work for an amazing Catholic woman whose deep, abiding faith is a constant inspiration. The nitty-gritty tasks of being a personal aide to a quadriplegic keeps me grounded and humbled. For the past half dozen or so years, I’ve helped people tidy up their home and work spaces, which is also a ministry of sorts. My favorite? I love all of it. I have a full and blessed life.

KM (2017): I want to share your interview again with friends – do you have anything to add to it?

MG: There was a stunning amount of anti-Semitism in my home town– it took me years to acknowledge and deal with it. Also, although there have been significant changes in the past decade, the scripture from Micah endures as the significant guide to living my life.

SMMP: Why is Edith Stein so inspiring to you? You are nothing like her.

Kristen: I didn’t choose Edith, she chose me. In my frustrated hausfrau days (with four kids under the age of five and an absent military hubby)…Edith’s life story and intense philosophy rocked my world. Despite being marginalized at almost every turn, her life had great meaning in God’s plan. Stick with your vocation and run with it!

SMMP: Why are you trying to bring spirituality into the workplace? Isn’t that usually a bad idea?

Kristen: Women are not stereotypes. Some stay-at-home, some work…and many women cycle in and out of the workplace. Some are married, others are single…some are even nuns. But most women find spirituality motivating. They connect with God, and God has answers for each one.

Women have always transformed their cultures – but very few know those stories. There is a lot of career advice out there and it’s all good – but some work/life issues are really best kept private. In fact, many work/life challenges have spiritual components. I want to speak to that dynamic, with great encouragement. Integrating spirituality into all of my life is important to me. I am betting I am not the only one.

SMMP: Uh oh! You aren’t going to “dialogue”, ending up in a muddy mix of platitudes we can all “agree” upon, are you?

K: I want to understand and respect my Christian sisters– don’t you? And, I hope to allow women to share their own unique experiences. I want to celebrate the caregiving roles that women play in every community. Ideological differences are polarizing not just government but also the Church. I believe women have special gifts to bridge those divides. I’d like to see more about social justice in ‘conservative’ corners, and more about the right to life in ‘liberal’ corners. I would hope this newsletter will persuade others to chat across the fence occasionally.

SMMP: Who would enjoy MY SECRET IS MINE?

K: Women of all ages and vocations will find here interesting facts, inspiring examples and compelling stories. Got a bible study group? Or a book club? We will post studies and reviews regularly! We’ll depend on our readers to give us feedback on the various ways it is working, or not working in that mission. One thing is for sure– it won’t be predictable! So tell us what you like, and what you don’t!

SMMP: Is this newsletter going to be “All Edith Stein, All the Time”?

K: The danger is real! We will profile compassionate friends (like Edith), kick-butt thinkers (like Edith) and inspiring sisters (like Edith). Edith didn’t despair when her career goals were blocked by sexism and ethnic hatred. She buckled down and got to work – and created order out of chaos. No, not every article will mention Edith, but her spirit will inspire all the content. God’s handmaidens, just like Mary.